Grandmothers, creeks, sisters...

Simon may be away in the Philippines, but his lovely mother has come to stay with us for the week. We are all so grateful and excited to have her here, a voice of wisdom and a cause for a break from the routine of packing and imminent moving.

We went down to the creek with her yesterday, where Bella tried in vain to master her floating technique-- a technique she herself mastered while paddling for countless hours with these same grandchildren under Zambian skies.

I watched these two girls of mine enjoy one another. How grand it must be to have a sister.

And of course where there are two enjoying themselves, a third will soon join in.

Ana suddenly remembered today that one of my oldest and dearest friends, May, sent her some photos via Facebook a few months ago. Photos of a baby Ana (those ears! and peach fuzz head! and little stork bite! and pudgy fists!), scanned in from film, of her with May (she has the blonde streaks) and me (was I really ever twenty?). I can only assume that it was her camera and we took turns taking the photos. I've no idea, really. It was so sweet to find this just as I was contemplating how dear sisters are and how how much I treasure family. Some family we build ourselves, but most of it is a gift we are given, and a blessing I am more grateful for with each and every day.